Penang clergy experience spiritual renewal at CER

Apr 18, 2025

PENANG: Fifty-four priests and deacons from the Diocese of Penang gathered at Stella Maris Retreat Centre recently, for a five-day Conversion Experience Retreat (CER), a testament to God’s deep love for His chosen servants. Despite initial hesitation from some participants, by the end of the retreat, words like “life-changing,” “amazing encounters with God,” and “renewal, affirmation, and recommitment to their priesthood” were commonly expressed as they gave thanks for this transformative experience.

In late October 2024, the Bishop of Penang, Cardinal Sebastian Francis, invited the Archbishop of Singapore, Cardinal William Goh, to lead a Conversion Experience Retreat (CER) for his priests and deacons. This invitation came after hearing about the retreat from priests of the Diocese of Malacca Johore who had participated in their clergy CER at MAJODI Retreat Centre in 2017. Inspired by a desire for his priests and deacons to “experience a deeper encounter with our Lord Jesus together as one” in preparation for the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, Cardinal Francis made this humble request, guided by divine inspiration.

From the moment we arrived on the first day, it felt as though the Lord had been preparing this experience for some time. There was a warm sense of reunion as Cardinal William and Msgr Peter Zhang reminisced with various participants now based in Penang — former co-seminarians, formators, teachers, and students. A particularly cherished moment was a meeting with Cardinal William’s former professor, Fr Francis Anthony, who had guided him over 40 years ago.

On Retreat Day 1, it was interesting to witness the familiar resistance from both priests and deacons — remarks like, “Praise and Worship is not for me,” “The sessions are too long,” “We've heard this before,” and “Why am I here?” However, by the end of Day 2, hearts began to soften. A few hands were raised in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and participants became less self-conscious, focusing more on their communion with the Lord through songs, Scripture, and the Sacraments. Praise and thanks be to God for this transformation.

Without revealing too much, it is enough to say that God’s abundant graces flowed freely throughout the retreat. As the sessions deepened, supported by the para-liturgies, hearts were consoled, tears were shed, spirits were lifted, and heartfelt hugs were exchanged. Conversations softened as past hurts, misunderstandings, anger, and unforgiveness were healed. Walls came down, and the floodgates of healing and reconciliation overflowed. One could almost imagine the Lord smiling and declaring, “It was very good.”

By the end of Day 4, joy was overflowing as grateful hearts expressed unreserved thanksgiving, exchanging hugs and words of encouragement while prayers for healing and empowerment were lifted. Many experienced their first moments of rest in intimate communion with the Lord in the Spirit. Some received deep healing, others were moved to tears of joy, while many felt the peace of the Lord and were blessed with the gift of tongues. On Day 5, as they renewed their priestly promises and embraced their bishop, a beautiful sense of oneness and unity prevailed, reflecting the words of 1 Peter 3:8: “Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

The most beautiful praise to God came at the end of the retreat as priests and deacons shared inspired and courageous testimonies of the goodness of God experienced over the past five days. Here are just a few excerpts:

• “Liberating! The joy of letting God lead.”
• “Healing of past hurts, anger, and guilt.”
• “God touched and worked wonders!”
• “Physical healing of back, shoulders, and knees.”
• “The best confession I’ve ever had. I now commit to being fully present as a confessor, a channel of God’s healing grace for my parishioners.”
• “Every priest must attend CER!”

Two soon-to-retire priests, including one who recently experienced prolonged illness, are now committed to discerning and continuing their service to the Church beyond retirement.

Cardinal Sebastian Francis shared his personal journey during the Conversion Experience Retreat, saying he gradually grew to enjoy the experience and ultimately felt “awe-struck.” He expressed a profound revelation from the retreat, noting that “there is forgiveness and healing for all, even for Pontius Pilate, if he desires it deeply enough.” He also expressed his admiration for the retreat team who supported Cardinal William Goh through silent prayers, fasting, sacrifices, praise, worship, and Spirit-filled para-liturgies. “MARANATHA,” he concluded.

Reflecting on the retreat, Cardinal William shared how moved he was by the humility of the priests and deacons who took part. “This retreat shows that even priests and deacons hunger for a deeper experience of God’s love,” he said. “They too have been wounded — through ministry or earlier life — and seek God’s mercy, forgiveness, and healing.”

He was especially inspired by their openness to be ministered to and renewed. “As ordained ministers, we are called not only to give but also to receive God’s grace through one another,” he added. Through worship, adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the clergy experienced a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and renewal of their priestly gifts.

“This retreat is for everyone,” Cardinal William concluded. “We all need God’s grace, healing, and most of all, a personal encounter with His love.” --Jerome, Catholic Spirituality Centr